
Check out the website at: http://www.bigsummergolf.com
Linda Talbot is the creative force
behind one of golf’s most successful
and innovative marketing
tools – The Big Summer Golf Network
™. The BSGN has spawned many
imitators but no rivals. The reason is
simple. Ms. Talbot keeps her eye on the
ball – the game of golf always comes
first.
In the autumn of 1992 Ms. Talbot
conceived of a cooperative marketing
network wherein club owners
would commit themselves to one “off
peak” rate reduction program, market
it under a single, unified banner
and keep the monies generated from
what remained after the expenses of
producing the Big Summer Golf Card®
were deducted.
The key feature of the program lies
in the simple reality that nearly all
financial gains generated by the sale
of Big Summer Golf privilege cards
are returned to owners and operators.
“Some of the “life skills” that are
inherent in the game of golf, such as
honesty, integrity, courtesy, respect,
and perseverance, should also always
be present in business,” says Talbot.
“Too often we teach and preach what
we do not live out in daily life. Our
business reflects our dedication to
golf’s real lessons. We’re all enormously
fortunate to be able to live by
the rules of the game in our daily work
environment.”

As a result of this spirit, The Big
Summer Golf Network has been
able to return millions of dollars to
member clubs since its introduction
in the spring of1993, while allowing
Big Summer Golf Card® holders to
play millions of summertime rounds on many of Florida’s greatest courses.
“When I started this business there was
very little camaraderie between facilities,”
says Talbot –
“I mean everyone
acted as though
they were protecting
some type of
secret at their golf
facilities. Over the
years that attitude
had changed
along with the
industry itself.
People became more open and willing
to share their experiences, good and
bad, at open forum meetings. At our
semi-annual course meetings one item
is always on the agenda: “Can We Be
Smarter?” And, we encourage course
operators to avail themselves of some
of the timeliest and most thought provoking
materials we come across such
as: Outside the Ropes published by Jim
Koppenhaver and his group at Pellucid
Corporation.”
To the question, “Can We Be Smarter?”
the answer is a resounding “Yes!”
“My concern is that the economic
challenges currently facing golf will end
up actually changing the face of golf.
With economic woes, things everywhere
have a sharper edge; seeming
harsher and a bit meaner. Competition
for the daily fee golfer as well as for
members is fierce, to say the least. And,
while this may temporarily benefit the
golfing public by the resultant lower
rate structure at some courses, everyone
pays for it in the long run.”
“My hope is that course operators will
be able to meet all
of the economic and
regulatory challenges
they may be facing
for the next indeterminate
period of time
and in doing so, will
also take the time to
review all marketing
programs for both the
actual cost, and the
more dangerous hidden costs.”
Today the Big Summer Golf Network
is the premier privately owned summer
golf program in the country. The future
has never looked smarter.